A new prostate cancer treatment is now available at Lismore.
The new stereotactic radiotherapy treatment gives a higher dose of radiation to the target area over five treatment sessions compared to the previous standard course which delivered a smaller dose across 20 sessions.
Eligible patients can attend the North Coast Cancer Institute in Lismore.
The shorter treatment course is also expected to be available soon at the new Tweed Valley Hospital Integrated Cancer Care service.
Bill de Groot was the first patient to receive stereotactic radiation therapy for prostate cancer in Lismore.
He said the shorter course was a better choice for him.
“For me it’s close to home, so having it at Lismore is a great benefit,” Mr de Groot said.
“There’s also a psychological benefit to this, too, in that I don’t have to go in for four weeks solid, which can be depressing.
“Once you are in the situation of being diagnosed with cancer your whole life changes around, and then you kind of focus on that and forget about everything else.”
Patients who are eligible for the stereotactic treatment will be able to discuss their options with their doctor.
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said prostate cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.
“Having the new treatment available in Lismore means patients who would have previously travelled to Brisbane or Sydney for the shorter course of treatment can now receive it locally,” Mr Park said.
Radiation oncologist Dr Shreya Armstrong said with the new treatment delivering a higher dose per session over fewer sessions, the total biological radiation dose is the same.
“It’s also very beneficial for our service, as it reduces the number of prostate cancer patients who are coming for daily treatment over four weeks, thereby freeing up the machine for other patients and reducing waiting times,” Dr Armstrong said.
This information was provided by the office of Janelle Saffin MP.